Rules

MATCH RULES

1) REFEREE
The Referee at times will use his discretion when making a final decision. This decision is final and must be accepted in ALL instances.
Any player that shows dissent to the referee will be given a yellow or red card.
The Referee starts the match by throwing the ball in the air at the centre of the pitch. All games are straight through for the full time of the game unless on the night there is a big advantage for a team playing with the wind or a big disadvantage for a team playing with sun in their eyes then for that night the match would be divided into two half’s.

2) PENALTIES WILL BE AWARDED
If the goalkeeper goes outside his box to gain an advantage in the match a penalty will be awarded.
When the rules for that venue are that the goalkeeper is the only player allowed in the box and a team member of the goalkeeper goes inside the box to gain an advantage in the match a penalty will be awarded.
When the rules for that venue are that the goalkeeper is the only player allowed to play the ball in the box and a team member of the goalkeeper plays the ball in the box it will be a penalty.
Any team caught with more than 6 players playing the match a penalty will be awarded.

3) PENALTIES
The penalty taker is allowed no more than one step before striking the ball.
The goalkeeper must remain on his line and not move until the ball is struck.
It is the responsibility of players to clarify to the referee who is taking the penalty kick. The penalty will be disallowed if the referee feels the goalkeeper was placed at a disadvantage by the opposing players not making it clear which player is taking the penalty kick.
In the absence of a penalty spot being visible, the penalty shall be taken 1 yd back from the edge of the goalkeeper’s box.

4) SLIDE TACKLES
Slide tackles are not allowed in our leagues this includes going to ground in any way during a tackle.
A free kick is rewarded for a slide tackle and for going to ground without making contact trying to tackle.

5) BACK PASSES
All outfield players can pass the ball back to their keeper EXCEPT when an outfield player has received the ball from the their goalkeeper. When the goalkeeper rolls the ball underarm to his outfield player the ball MUST be touched by another player before being passed back to the goalkeeper. If the outfield player passes the ball back to the keeper without touching another player it will be a free kick where the player is standing on the field of play

6) FREE KICKS
ALL free kicks are INDIRECT.
Players must be 2 yards from the ball.
When a free kick is on the edge of the goalkeeping box the ball will be placed 2 yds back to allow a defending player to block the direct shot.
The ball must be stationary before you take the free kick.

7) THE GOALKEEPER AND THE GOALKEEPER BOX
The goalkeeper CANNOT kick the ball under any circumstances except in the course of making a save.
The goalkeeper must always roll-out the ball with an underarm action when continuing play.
If the goalkeeper makes a foul throw or kicks the ball to his outfield player it will be free kick, this free kick will be taken 2 yards outside his box where the ball left his box.
If the goalkeeper makes a save but part of his body slides outside his box but at the same time the goalkeeper has touched the ball in his box and part of his body remains in his box it will NOT be a penalty.
If the defensive team have a free kick near the goalkeeper box the referee may decide to continue play with an underarm roll-out by the goalkeeper.
When the rules for that venue are that the goalkeeper is the only player allowed to play the ball in the box and a team member of the goalkeeper plays the ball in the box it will be a penalty, if the attacking player plays the ball in the goalkeeper box it be a free kick.
When the rules for that venue are that the goalkeeper is the only player allowed in the box, no player will be penalised if they have entered goalkeeper box when being pushed by an opposing player or when the momentum of an action being taken outside the box takes the player into the goalkeeper box.
After a goal is scored, the goalkeeper shall roll the ball out to restart play.
If the team makes a change of goalkeeper during the match the players must notify the referee and then wait for a signal from the referee before making the change of goalkeeper.

8) SUBSTITUTES
Teams are allowed 6 substitutes who must stand behind the goal which is occupied by their goalkeeper or in the viewing area.
Substitutions can be made as needed we operate a roll on – roll off system.
If the team makes a substitution during the match the players must notify the referee and then wait for a signal from the referee before making the substitution.
Any team caught with more than 6 players playing the match the opposing team will be awarded a penalty.

9) THE HEAD-HEIGHT RULE
For OUTDOOR leagues there is NO head height ruling.
For INDOOR leagues only, the ball is not allowed to pass above head height. An indirect free kick will be awarded against the team who play the ball above head height. The free kick will be taken where the ball was originally played.

10) THROW INS / CORNERS
When the ball leaves the area of play the referee will award a kick-in to the appropriate team.
When the ball leaves the area of play behind the goal and it is the goalkeeper’s ball he will roll-in as stated above.

11) FREE KICKS
ALL free kicks are INDIRECT.
Players must be 2 yards from the ball.
When a free kick is on the edge of the goalkeeping box the ball will be placed 2 yds back to allow a defending player to block the direct shot.
The ball must be stationary before you take the free kick.

12) THE SIN BIN
If a player is shown a yellow card the player will be sin-binned for 2 minutes and must leave the pitch until the referee instructs him to come back onto the field of play.
The referee shall be the sole time keeper.

13) DISMISSAL
If a player is given a yellow card and he refuses to leave the pitch he will be dismissed.
If a player is dismissed he must leave the pitch immediately, failure to leave the pitch will result in the referee awarding the match to the apposing team.

14) TIME WASTING
Referees are told to take a positive action for time wasting.
Any player found guilty of time wasting could be given a yellow card.
The referee will award a free kick for time wasting.
The free kick will be taken where the player was standing on the field of play.
Any player intentionally kicking the ball away will be given a yellow card.

MATCH NIGHT RULES

1) LEAGUE POINTS
The scoring system is 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.

2) MATCH DURATION
Match duration depends on the league that you play in. The duration of the match will be stated on your League details when signing up your team.

3) SQUAD
We operate a flexible squad system. Teams may use as many players as they wish during the season, however only 10 players may be used for any one match night. Players may only play for ONE team in the league unless they become a guest player just for the night.
If your team is short you have the right to use a guest player(s) from the league but this must be cleared by the referee and the opposition manager/captain prior to kicking off your match.

4) CLOTHING
Outfield players must not play with a cap, hat, jeans, shoes or without a shirt.
The goalkeeper can play with a cap.
All teams must use the bibs provided unless the whole team are using the same colour shirt.

5) AWARD PACKAGE FOR WINNER & RUNNER UP OF THE LEAGUE
We will discuss with the players what types of award packages they think are appropriate when you win or finish runners up in the league. We want to get this award package correct so each team play with real effort to win the league because the award package is valued by the player.
Currently we will give each team 5 options;
1. Shopping vouchers
2. Football for each player
3. Football shirt for each player
4. Beer Mug or Trophy